How to Put Forgiveness Into Practice
When we hold on to bad feelings towards another person, it can leave us with a weight on our shoulders and leak into other parts of our lives. Teaching your children the power of forgiveness now will help them as they get older.
It can start with a simple tattle-tale, “Billy took my ball!” When your little one runs to you with a problem, first teach them how to handle it. Teach them how to diffuse the situation and communicate with the ball stealer. Things such as using their words and sharing their feelings can help the situation.
If they continue to share with you how they don’t like another child because that child took their ball (yes, it’s amazing how children can hold a grudge), ask them how it makes them feel. Start a dialogue and practice a role play on how they could handle the situation.
A great way to help your child practice forgiveness is to draw a photo of what happened. Little kids can do this while older kids can write why it made them sad or mad. Use the drawing or note to talk about the situation, and then let your little one throw the paper away. Share with them that by throwing it away, we are forgiving the other person and starting anew.
According to Richard Fitzgibbons, M.D., a Philadelphia-area psychiatrist, “New studies show that there are concrete and long-lasting benefits to forgiving, including reduced stress, improved physical health, and better relationships.” Helping your keiki learn how to handle a situation that made them sad or mad is essential in how they’ll handle it when they get older.
